Tools

LMOP has developed aeveral country-specific landfill gas generation models to help landfill owners and operators and other interested parties evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of collecting and using LFG for energy recovery.

LMOP developed the Central America Landfill Gas (LFG) Model, in conjunction with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to help landfill owners and operators, end users of LFG, and other interested parties in Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama) evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of collecting and using LFG for energy recovery. The Central America LFG Model calculates the maximum expected LFG generation and recovery potential of individual disposal sites based on factors such as the amount of waste in place, waste acceptance rates, methane generation rate (k), and methane generation potential (L0). EPA worked with each country in the region to gather data used to develop country-specific default variables for such inputs as k and L0. The Model requires site-specific data for other variables, including landfill opening and closing years, disposal rates, and collection efficiency. EPA developed a new module as part of this Model to help users accurately estimate a site's collection efficiency potential.

The Central America LFG Model, which is an Excel spreadsheet, is based on the U.S. Landfill Gas Emissions Model (LandGEM) and incorporates aspects of LMOP's Mexico LFG Model, the CDM Method AM0025, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Waste Model. A comparison of model results shows that the Central America LFG Model typically provides estimates of LFG generation that are approximately mid-way between the CDM Method and IPCC Waste Model results.

Both the Model and its accompanying User's Manual can be downloaded below. [Selecting these links will launch the spreadsheet and User's Manual. To download the data instead, right click the links and save the files to your computer.]

LMOP developed the China Landfill Gas (LFG) Model to estimate LFG generation rates from landfills, and potential LFG recovery rates for landfills that have, or plan to have, gas collection and control systems in China. The China LFG Model was developed using data on climate, waste characteristics, and disposal practices in China, and conditions at disposal sites in China. It also incorporates components of the 2007 U.S. EPA LMOP Central America LFG Model and the 2006 IPCC Waste Model.

The model, which is an Excel spreadsheet, is accompanied by a User's Manual. Both the spreadsheet and the User's Manual can be downloaded below. [Selecting the links will launch the spreadsheet and User's manual. To download the data instead, right click the links and save the files to your computer.] For more information about the China LFG Model, or for assistance in using the model, contact Tom Frankiewicz (frankiewicz.thomas@epa.gov), U.S. EPA LMOP.

LMOP created the Colombia Landfill Gas (LFG) Model to help landfill owners and operators and other interested parties evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of collecting and using LFG for energy recovery in Colombia. The Model also incorporates the structure of the IPCC Waste Model with revised input assumptions to better reflect local climate and conditions at disposal sites in Colombia.

The model provides default values for the methane generation rate (k) and methane generation potential (L0), which were developed using precipitation data, waste composition data, and site-specific LFG recovery data gathered from representative landfills in Colombia. These data enable users to produce typical LFG generation and recovery rates for landfills located in various regions of Colombia.

The model, which is an Excel spreadsheet, is accompanied by a User's Manual. Both the spreadsheet and the User's Manual can be downloaded below. [Selecting the links will launch the spreadsheet and User's Manual. To download the data instead, right click the links and save the files to your computer.]

LMOP developed the Ecuador Landfill Gas (LFG) Model to help landfill owners and operators and other interested parties evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of collecting and using LFG for energy recovery in Ecuador. The Ecuador LFG Model was adapted from the 2003 U.S. EPA LMOP Mexico LFG Model. The model was calibrated based on the experience gained through the pre-feasibility studies and pump tests carried out by EPA on the Las Iguanas Landfill in Guayaquil and the Pichacay Landfill in Cuenca, as well as other data collected from three additional landfills in Ecuador. Modeling parameters reflect the high organic and moisture content found in waste in Ecuador.

The model, which is an Excel spreadsheet, is accompanied by a User's Manual. Both the spreadsheet and the User's Manual can be downloaded below. [Selecting the links will launch the spreadsheet and User's Manual. To download the data instead, right click the links and save the files to your computer.] For more information about the Ecuador LFG Model, or for assistance in using the model, contact Tom Frankiewicz (frankiewicz.thomas@epa.gov), U.S. EPA LMOP.

LMOP developed the first Mexico Landfill Gas (LFG) Model in 2003 in conjunction with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and several Mexican government agencies to help landfill owners and operators and other interested parties evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of collecting and using LFG for energy recovery in Mexico.
For this new version (Mexico LFG Model Version 2.0), U.S. EPA collected additional field data and applied advanced modeling techniques to update and refine the first version of the Mexico LFG Model. The Model Version 2.0 incorporates waste composition data from Version 1.0 and expands the data to include information from additional cities and landfills throughout Mexico. The Model also incorporates the structure of the IPCC Waste Model with revised input assumptions to better reflect local climate and conditions at disposal sites in Mexico.

The model provides default values for the methane generation rate (k) and methane generation potential (L0), which were developed using precipitation data, waste composition data, and site-specific LFG recovery data gathered from representative landfills in Mexico. These data enable users to produce typical LFG generation and recovery rates for landfills located in various regions of Mexico.

The model, which is an Excel spreadsheet, is accompanied by a User's Manual. Both the spreadsheet and the User's Manual can be downloaded below. [Selecting the links will launch the spreadsheet and User's Manual. To download the data instead, right click the links and save the files to your computer.] For more information about the Mexico LFG Model Version 2.0, or for assistance in using the model, contact Chris Godlove (godlove.chris@epa.gov), U.S. EPA LMOP.

Philippines Landfill Gas Model

LMOP created the Philippines LFG Model to provide general estimates of LFG generation and recovery potential. The model provides recommended values for input variables based on climate data, waste characteristics, and disposal practices in Philippines, and the estimated effect of these conditions on the amounts and rates of LFG generation. The model also allows users to specify their own values for these input variables, provided the information is reliable. Other models evaluated during the model development process included the 2007 U.S. EPA Central America Landfill Gas Model Version 1, the 2009 U.S. EPA China Landfill Gas Model Version 1.1 and the 2006 IPCC Waste Model. The Philippines LFG Model incorporates components of each of these models that help it to reflect conditions at disposal sites in Philippines.

The model, which is an Excel spreadsheet, is accompanied by a User’s Manual. Both the spreadsheet and the User’s Manual can be downloaded below. [Selecting the links will launch the spreadsheet and User’s Manual. To download the data instead, right click the links and save the files to your computer.] For more information about the Philippines LFG Model, or for assistance in using the model, contact Chris Godlove (godlove.chris@epa.gov), U.S. EPA LMOP.

LMOP created the Thailand LFG Model to provide general estimates of LFG generation and recovery potential. The model provides recommended values for input variables based on climate data, waste characteristics, and disposal practices in Thailand, and the estimated effect of these conditions on the amounts and rates of LFG generation. The model also allows users to specify their own values for these input variables, provided the information is reliable. Other models evaluated during the model development process included the 2007 U.S. EPA Central America Landfill Gas Model Version 1, the 2009 U.S. EPA China Landfill Gas Model Version 1.1 and the 2006 IPCC Waste Model. The Thailand LFG Model incorporates components of each of these models that help it to reflect conditions at disposal sites in Thailand.

The model, which is an Excel spreadsheet, is accompanied by a User's Manual. Both the spreadsheet and the User's Manual can be downloaded below. [Selecting the links will launch the spreadsheet and User's Manual. To download the data instead, right click the links and save the files to your computer.] For more information about the Thailand LFG Model, or for assistance in using the model, contact Chris Godlove (godlove.chris@epa.gov), U.S. EPA LMOP.

Ukraine Landfill Gas Model

LMOP created the Ukraine LFG model to provide general estimates of LFG generation and recovery potential. The model provides recommended values for input variables based on climate data, waste characteristics, and disposal practices in Ukraine as well as estimated effects of these conditions on the amounts and rates of LFG generation. The model also allows users to specify their own values for these input variables, provided the information is reliable. Other models evaluated during the model development process included the 2007 U.S. EPA Central America Landfill Gas Model, Version 1, 2009 U.S. EPA China Landfill Gas Model, Version 1.1, the Philippines Landfill Gas Model, Version 1. The Ukraine LFG model incorporates components of each of these models to help reflect conditions at disposal sites in Ukraine.

The model, which is an Excel spreadsheet, is accompanied by a User’s Manual. Both the spreadsheet and User’s Manual can be downloaded below. [Selecting the links will launch the spreadsheet and User’s Manual. To download the data instead, right click the links and save the files to your computer.] For more information, contact Swarupa Ganguli (ganguli.swarupa@epa.gov), U.S. EPA LMOP, at 202-343-9732.